Albany police arrest pair of men involved with armed robbery spree

ALBANY -- Police arrested two men they say are responsible for a string of armed robberies recently, including the gunpoint holdups of at least three Stewart's shops in the area.

According to a news release issued Friday, cops arrested the pair early Friday morning after a traffic stop on Henry Johnson Boulevard, taking into custody Jahaad Heath, 22, of 11 Early Drive in Watervliet and Aaron Jeffrey, 21, of 73 Linden Ave. Schenectady.

According to law enforcement sources, cops also recovered a shotgun they believe was used in the string of holdups dating back to November of last year.

The pair face multiple counts of first-degree robbery, weapons possession and conspiracy charges in connection with the hold-up spree. Law enforcement officials say the two have also been linked to robberies in Watervliet, Colonie, and "could face charges in other jurisdictions."

Both men were arraigned in Albany City Court and are now being held at the Albany County Correctional Facility without bail.

Cops said the arrest came after a "continuing investigation and information obtained from the Stewart's robbery on Jan. 9."

Heath and Jeffrey both are accused of three armed holdups in Albany, including the November 2012 hold up of Sham Candy Grocery on Central Avenue, the December 2012 robbery of a Stewart's at 542 Central Ave. and the Jan. 9 hold-up of a Stewart's at 204 Henry Johnson Boulevard.

Robbery in the first degree carries with it a maximum sentence of up to 25 years behind bars.